Direct vent fireplace installation

ABSTRACT

A direct vent fireplace installation assembly is provided that includes a furniture unit having an enlarged receptacle well above the ground, and a direct vent fireplace unit positioned in the receptacle of the furniture unit. The fireplace unit has a firebox contained in an outer housing, a burner assembly in the firebox, and a contoured surround positioned in and spaced apart from walls of the firebox. A chimney is coupled to the firebox. In one embodiment, the fireplace unit is mounted in a receptacle in a wall structure positioned above the floor, at approximately eye level. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims [37C.F.R. 1.72(b)].

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is directed to fireplace installations, and, moreparticularly, direct vent fireplace units and installations.

SUMMARY

The present invention overcomes limitations of the prior art andprovides additional benefits. A brief summary of some embodiments andaspects of the invention are presented. Thereafter, a detaileddescription of the illustrated embodiments is presented, which willpermit one skilled in the relevant art to understand, make, and useaspects of the invention. One skilled in the art can obtain a fullappreciation of aspects of the invention from the subsequent detaileddescription, read together with the figures, and from the claims, whichfollow the detailed description.

Under one aspect of the invention, a gas-burning fireplace installationassembly is provided that is connectable to a fuel gas source. Theinstallation assembly includes a furniture unit having a decorativefront facing portion with an upper portion and a lower portion. Theupper portion has an enlarged receptacle spaced above the ground andadapted to engage a support surface. A direct vent fireplace unit ispositioned in the receptacle in the furniture unit's upper portion. Thefireplace unit has an outer housing, a firebox contained in the outerhousing, and a burner assembly in the firebox. The burner assembly isconnectable to a gas line that provides the fuel gas from the fuel gassource. A chimney is coupled to the firebox.

Under another aspect of the invention, a fireplace installation assemblyis provided that includes a furniture unit having a lower cabinetportion and an upper front face portion extending from the lower cabinetportion. The upper front face portion having an enlarged receptacletherein. A direct vent fireplace unit is positioned in the receptacle inthe upper front face portion of the furniture unit. The fireplace unithas an outer housing, a firebox contained in the outer housing, a burnerassembly in the firebox, and a contoured surround in the firebox. Thecontoured surround is spaced apart from the back of the firebox and ispositioned between the burner assembly and the firebox.

Under another aspect of the invention, a wall-mounted fireplaceinstallation is provided that is coupleable to a gas source. The wallstructure has an enlarged receptacle positioned above the ground (e.g.,the floor), and the receptacle is remote from and not surrounded by afireplace mantle. A direct vent fireplace unit is positioned in thereceptacle in the wall structure. The fireplace unit has an outerhousing, a firebox contained in the outer housing, and a burner assemblyin the firebox coupleable to the gas source. A contoured surround ispositioned in the firebox and extends at least partially around theburner assembly between the burner assembly and the firebox. Thesurround is spaced apart from the firebox to define a heat shield aroundthe burner assembly. An exhaust flue is coupled to the firebox andextends into a portion of the wall structure.

Under another aspect of the invention, a direct vent fireplace unit isprovided that is positionable in an enlarged fireplace receptacle abovethe ground in a furniture unit or in a wall structure not surrounded bya mantle. The fireplace unit has an outer housing and a fireboxcontained in the outer housing. The firebox has front, rear, and sideportions. A burner assembly is positioned in the firebox between thefront and rear portions and is coupleable to the gas source. A surroundis positioned in the firebox at least partially around the burnerassembly between the burner assembly and the rear and side portions ofthe firebox. The surround is spaced apart from the rear portion of thefirebox to define a heat shield around the burner assembly that directsheat toward the front portion of the firebox. A decorative front face iscoupled to the outer housing and generally around the front portion ofthe firebox. The front face has height and width dimensions, the heightdimension being greater than the width dimension.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a front elevation view of a direct vent fireplace unit in acorner-mounted furniture unit in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 1B is a side elevation view of one embodiment of the furniture unitand fireplace unit of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 is a partial front elevation view of a direct vent fireplace unitin a furniture unit in accordance with an alternate embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded, partial front isometric view of the fireplaceunit and the furniture unit of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged isometric view of the direct vent fireplace unitof FIG. 1A shown removed from the furniture unit.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the direct vent fireplaceunit taken substantially along lines 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged isometric view of a contoured surround shownremoved from the fireplace unit of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a wall-mounted, direct vent fireplaceunit shown in a wall above the ground in accordance with an alternateembodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Gas-burning, direct vent fireplace installations in furniture units andwall structures are described in detail herein in accordance withembodiments of the present invention. In the following description,numerous specific details are discussed to provide a thorough andenabling description for embodiments of the invention. One skilled inthe relevant art, however, will recognize that the invention can bepracticed without one or more of the specific details. In otherinstances, well-known structures or operations are not shown, or are notdescribed in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention. Ingeneral, alternatives and alternate embodiments described herein aresubstantially similar to the previously described embodiments, andcommon elements are identified by the same reference numbers.

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a furniture-mounted fireplaceinstallation 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention. The illustrated furniture-mounted fireplace installation 10includes a gas-burning fireplace unit 12 mounted in a furniture unit 14.The fireplace unit 12 is a self-contained, direct vent fireplace insertcoupled to a fuel gas source 16. The fireplace unit 12 is configured toprovide heat into the room in which the fireplace installation 10 islocated when the fireplace unit is activated, while also providing veryaesthetically pleasing fire framed by the furniture unit 14. Thefireplace unit 12 fits seamlessly within the furniture unit 14 andprovides a very attractive addition to a room or an outside area.

The furniture unit 14 illustrated in FIG. 1A is a movable corner-mountedhighboy having an upper portion 18 and a lower portion 20. The frontside 22 of the furniture unit 14 faces into a room 24 or the like, andthe backside 26 is shaped and sized to correspond to a corner 28 of theroom 24. The furniture unit 14 is configured to support and contain thefireplace unit 12 in the upper portion 18 above the ground 30 and abovethe furniture unit's lower portion 20. It is to be understood that theground 30 can be a floor, a foundation, the earth, or other supportsurface on which the furniture unit 14 is positioned. The lower portion20 of the illustrated furniture unit 14 includes a display area 32 fordisplaying selected items, such as artwork or the like. In alternateembodiments, the display area 32 can include multiple display areas,shelves, drawers, doors, or other selected features for the decorativefurniture unit 14.

In one embodiment, the furniture unit 14 has full length side walls anda top wall that extend from the front side 22 into the corner 28. FIG.1B is a side elevation view of an alternate embodiment of the fireplaceinstallation of FIG. 1A. The front side 22 of the furniture unit 14defines a front face extending along the upper and lower portions 18 and20. The upper portion 18 has no side walls or top extending from thefront side 22. Accordingly, the front side 22 along the upper portionforms a false front that receives the fireplace unit 12 therein.

The lower portion 20 of the illustrated embodiment is a cabinet-likestructure with a substantially horizontal support surface 31 extendingfrom the front side 22. The support surface 31 is positioned so aportion of the fireplace unit 12 sits on and is supported by the supportsurface. In one embodiment, the furniture unit's lower portion 20 canhave finished side walls that support the horizontal support surface 31.In other embodiments, the lower portion 20 does not have (or need) fullside walls, and the horizontal support surface can be supported byvertical legs (shown in phantom lines in FIG. 1B) or fixtures that mountto the wall.

FIG. 2 is a partial front elevation view of a direct vent fireplace unit12 in an alternate furniture unit 34 in accordance with an alternateembodiment of the present invention. The furniture unit 34 in theillustrated embodiment is a tall, narrow, rectangular cabinet structureconfigured to be positioned along a flat portion of a wall. Thefurniture unit 34 of FIG. 2 also has an upper portion 18 positionedabove the ground (not shown) by a selected distance. The fireplace unit12 is contained in the upper portion 18. In one embodiment, thefireplace unit 12 is positioned so the middle area of the fireplace unitis slightly below eye level of an average adult person standing in theroom 24. Other embodiments can have the fireplace unit 12 at otherheights above the floor.

While the furniture unit 14 of FIGS. 1A and 1B is a corner-mountedhighboy-type structure, and the furniture unit 34 of FIG. 2 is a tall,narrow decorative cabinet, other embodiments can include other styles offurniture units that receive the direct vent fireplace unit 12. As anexample, the furniture unit 14 can be a bookcase, an entertainmentcenter, an armoire, a cabinet, a hutch, a dresser, a storage area, acorner-mounted unit, a generally rectangular unit, a rounded or curveddisplay unit, or the like. The furniture unit 14 can be constructed of avariety of materials, including, but not limited to, wood, pressboard,marble, stone, cement, metal, composite materials, or the like.

FIG. 3 is an exploded, partial isometric view of the fireplaceinstallation 10 of FIG. 1. The furniture unit 14 of the illustratedembodiment has an enlarged receptacle 36 in the front side 22 of thefurniture unit's upper portion 18. The receptacle 36 is shaped and sizedto receive and contain the fireplace unit 12, so the fireplace unit issubstantially surrounded and framed by the furniture unit 14. Thefurniture unit 14 can include a chimney passageway 38 sized to receive adirect vent chimney 40 that extends from the fireplace unit 12. In theillustrated embodiment, the direct vent chimney 40 includes an exhaustflue 41 concentrically arranged with an air intake flue 42. The directvent chimney 40 is sealably connected to a flue adapter 44 on the top orback of the fireplace unit 12.

In an alternate embodiment, the upper portion 18 of the furniture unit14 can be configured to allow for two separate, non-concentric flues(e.g., the exhaust flue 41 and the air intake flue 42) to be connectedto the top or back of the fireplace unit 12. The chimney passageway 38and the direct vent chimney 40 of the illustrated embodiment extendtoward the top of the furniture unit 14, although alternate embodimentscan have the chimney passageway and the direct vent chimney extendingout the back or side of the furniture unit 14.

The furniture unit 14 can also have a fuel gas passageway 46 thereinthat receives a gas line 48, which carries the fuel gas from the fuelgas source 16 to the fireplace unit 12. The fuel gas passageway 46 andthe gas line 48 can be routed through the furniture unit 14 in a varietyof locations to provide the necessary connection to the fireplace unit12. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1B wherein the upper portion 18 hasno sides or top, the gas line 18 connects directly to the fireplace unit12 without having to actually extend through the furniture unit 14.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged isometric view of the fireplace unit 12 shownremoved from the furniture unit 14 of FIGS. 1A and 1B. As best seen inFIGS. 3 and 4, the fireplace unit 12 includes a contoured outer housing50 that fits into the receptacle 36 in the furniture unit 14 (FIG. 3).In the illustrated embodiment, the outer housing 50 is shaped with agenerally triangular back portion to correspond to the corner-mountedconfiguration of the furniture unit 14 (FIG. 3). In alternateembodiments, the outer housing 50 can have other shapes that correspondto the desired shape relative to the furniture unit 14.

The outer housing 50 has an interior area that contains a firebox 52.The firebox 52 is spaced apart from the outer housing 50 to define heatexchange passageways 54 between the firebox and the outer housing. Theheat exchange passageways 54 are adapted to direct a flow of air aroundthe firebox 52 so a flow of air moving from the room 24 through thefireplace unit 12 is heated before the air is blown out of the fireplaceunit back into the room. The fireplace unit 12 can include a blowercoupled to the heat exchange passageways 54 to facilitate the flow ofair through the fireplace unit.

The firebox 52 contains a burner assembly 56, such as the Ember Fyre®burner assembly manufactured by Travis Industries Inc. of Kirkland,Wash. The burner assembly 56 is a contoured burner assembly thatprovides a simulated coal bed, which supports simulated logs andsimulates a real wood burning fire, as is seen in FIG. 1A. The firebox52 also contains a thermally insulative, semi-dome-shaped surround 58positioned adjacent to the burner assembly 56 so as to partially extendaround the burner assembly. This heat shield at least partially shieldsthe sides and back of the firebox from the initial heat generated byburning fuel gas at the burner assembly 56.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the fireplace unit 12taken substantially along lines 5-5 of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is an enlargedisometric view of the surround 58 shown removed from the fireplace unit12 of FIG. 4. The illustrated surround 58 is a contoured, arcuate memberhaving a semi-cylindrical body portion 60 integrally connected to aquarter-spherical top portion 62 that forms a partial dome-like topstructure above the burner assembly 56. Accordingly, the contouredsurround 58 defines a volume having a shape different from the shape ofthe interior of the firebox 52 (FIG. 5). In the illustrated embodiment,the surround 58 is self-supporting and is removably contained in thefirebox 52. The surround 58 is set flush onto the bottom of the firebox52 around the burner assembly 56 without requiring additional mountingbrackets or structures to hold the surround in place. In otherembodiments, the surround 58 can be fastened or otherwise secured to thefirebox 52 on burner assembly 56.

The front side of the surround 58 defines an arched opening that allowsfor visibility from the front of the fireplace unit 12 into thesurround's interior area 59 and to the burner assembly 56. The surround58 is shaped in size so that, when a person looks into the firebox 52, adecorative interior surface 64 of the surround 58 around the burnerassembly 56 is visible, but side walls and back area of the firebox areblocked from view by the surround 58. The decorative interior surface 64has a selected pattern or shape that can be any one of a variety ofdecorative designs. In the illustrated embodiment, the decorativeinterior surface 64 has a sculpted, shell-type appearance along thequarter-spherical top portion 62, and a smooth arcuate surface on thesemi-cylindrical body portion 60. Alternate embodiments can havedecorative interior surfaces 64 with designs that simulate bricks,tiles, or a variety of other decorative configurations. Other alternateembodiments can have a surround 58 with a shape different from theillustrated semi-dome shape, while being self-supporting, so thesurround stands up in the firebox 52 around the burner assembly 56.

In the illustrated embodiment, the surround 58 is made of a moldedceramic material capable of withstanding the significant heat generatedby the burner assembly 56. In one embodiment, the surround 58 can bemade of a material or composition of materials so the portions of thesurround could change in color when a fire is burning in the firebox 52.Other embodiments can provide surrounds 58 made of other fire-resistant,thermally insulative materials.

As best seen in FIG. 5, the contoured surround 58 is positioned betweenthe burner assembly 56 and the sides and back of the firebox 52. Thecontoured surround 58 acts as a heat shield that directs heat forwardlytoward the open front portion of the firebox 52. In the illustratedembodiment, the surround 58 acts as a baffle and has integral exhaustpassageways 65 along the side portions that direct the hot exhaust gasesfrom within the area of the surround back into the upper portion of thefirebox 52 and to the exhaust flue 41 of the direct vent chimney 40.Accordingly, the surround 58 substantially increases the heat efficiencyof the fireplace unit 12, and helps keep the back area of the firebox 52and the backside of the outer housing 12 at cooler temperatures. Thesecooler temperatures allow the fireplace unit 12 to be mounted in thereceptacle 36 of the furniture unit 14 (FIG. 3) without requiring anexcessive air space for safety purposes.

As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the front of the firebox 52 is open toprovide access into the firebox, such as for maintenance of the burnerassembly 56. The open front of the firebox 52 is sealably covered byglass 66 or the like that allows for viewing into the firebox when thereis a fire burning at the burner assembly 56. A plurality of conventionalcontrols 68 are mounted in the outer housing 50 below the firebox 52that allows a user to control the burner assembly 56 for operation ofthe fireplace unit 12.

As best seen in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 3, the fireplace unit 12 has adecorative fireplace frame 70 mounted to the front side of the outerhousing 50 (FIG. 3) and around the receptacle 36 in the furniture unit14. The frame 70 has an arcuate opening 72 positioned adjacent to theglass that allows a person to look into the fireplace unit 12 to see thedecorative interior surface 64 of the surround 58, the burner assembly56, and a fire burning within the firebox 52. In the illustratedembodiment, the outer housing 50, the surround 58, and the frame 70 havea “portrait” shape, wherein the height dimensions are greater than thewidth dimensions. As a result, the tall, thin fireplace unit 12 providesan aesthetically proportioned shape relative to the selected furnitureunit 14 to provide a very handsome fireplace installation 10.

In one embodiment, the glass 66 covering the open front of the firebox52 is conventional tempered, high temperature, nonglare glass. Inanother embodiment, the glass 66 has a reflective characteristic, suchas a half-silvered coating, that forms a one-way mirror. Accordingly,when there is no fire within the fireplace unit 12 and the light in theroom 24 (FIG. 1A) is brighter than the light in the firebox 52, theglass 66 provides a mirror-type reflection when looking at it fromoutside the firebox (e.g., from the room). When the burner assembly 56is activated and a fire is started within the firebox 52, the light fromwithin the firebox is greater than the light outside of the fireplaceunit 12, so that a person can see the fire through the glass instead ofseeing the reflection.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a wall-mounted fireplace installation 74in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention. Thisinstallation 74 includes a wall 76 having an enlarged receptacle 78formed therein that receives the fireplace unit 12. In the illustratedembodiment, the direct vent chimney 40 is shaped and sized to extendthrough or within the wall 76 so as to communicate with outside air. Thereceptacle 78 is positioned well above the floor 80 and is positioned ata location remote from and not surrounded by a conventional mantle of afireplace. In one embodiment, the receptacle 78 and the fireplace unit12 are positioned so that the middle of the firebox is roughly at eyelevel for an average adult standing up.

In the illustrated embodiment, the outer housing 50 of the fireplaceunit 12 and the glass 66 are generally flush with the wall 76, and theframe 70 is mounted against the wall, thereby providing the decorativeframe around the glass 66 and firebox 52, respectively. The glass 66 canbe transparent or it can be a one-way mirror, as discussed above. Whenthe glass 66 is a one-way mirror, the frame 70 can have an appearance ofbeing a decorative mirror frame.

The above description of illustrated embodiments of the invention is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formdisclosed. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, theinvention are described herein for illustrative purposes, variousequivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention,as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The teachings ofthe invention provided herein can be applied to other direct ventfireplace installations, not necessarily the particular installationsdescribed above.

While certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certainclaim forms, the inventor contemplates the various aspects of theinvention in any number of claim forms. In general, in the followingclaims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the invention tothe specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and claims, butshould be construed to include all components and methods ofmanufacturing the components in accordance with the claims. Accordingly,the invention is not limited by the disclosure, but instead the scope ofthe invention is to be determined entirely by the claims.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments ofthe invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration,but that various modifications may be made without deviating from thespirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is notlimited except as by the appended claims.

1. A fireplace installation assembly connectable to a gas source,comprising: a furniture unit having an upper portion and a lowerportion, the upper portion having an enlarged receptacle therein, thereceptacle having first height and width dimensions, the first heightdimension being greater than the first width dimension; and agas-burning direct vent fireplace unit positioned in the enlargedreceptacle in the upper portion of the furniture unit, the fireplaceunit having second height and width dimensions, the second heightdimension being greater than the second width dimension, the fireplaceunit having an outer housing and having a portion at approximatelyeye-level of a standing average adult, a firebox contained in the outerhousing, a burner assembly in the firebox, a gas inlet connected to theburner assembly and connectable to a gas line, wherein the firebox ofthe fireplace unit is defined by a plurality of interconnected walls,and the fireplace unit further includes a firebox surround in thefirebox and positioned adjacent to the interconnected walls.
 2. Theassembly of claim 1 wherein the furniture unit includes a substantiallyhorizontal support portion adjacent to the receptacle, the fireplaceunit being supported on the support portion.
 3. (canceled)
 4. Theassembly of claim 1 wherein the furniture unit is a tall self-supportingunit positionable on the ground in a standing configuration.
 5. Theassembly of claim 1 wherein the lower portion of the furniture unit is adisplay area.
 6. (canceled)
 7. The assembly of claim 1 wherein thefurniture unit is one of a book case, an entertainment center, anarmoire, a cabinet, a hutch, a dresser, and a storage area.
 8. Theassembly of claim 1 wherein the fireplace unit is fully surrounded bythe upper portion of the furniture unit.
 9. A fireplace assemblyconnectable to a gas source and positionable in a receptacle havingfirst height and width dimensions, comprising: a gas-burning direct ventfireplace unit positionable in the receptacle, the fireplace unit havingsecond height and width dimensions, the second height dimension beinggreater than the second width dimension, the fireplace unit having anouter housing, a firebox contained in the outer housing and having aportion at approximately eye-level of a standing average adult, a burnerassembly in the firebox, and a gas inlet connected to the burnerassembly and connectable to a gas line, wherein the firebox of thefireplace unit has an interior volume of a first shape, and thefireplace unit further includes a surround contained in the firebox andshaped to define a second volume that has a second shape different fromthe first shape.
 10. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the fireplace unitincludes the surround in the firebox adjacent to the burner assembly,the surround defining a heat shield away from the firebox.
 11. Theassembly of claim 10 wherein the surround includes a decorative innersurface in the firebox and partially surrounding the burner assembly,the decorative inner surface being visible from a position exterior ofthe furniture unit.
 12. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the surround isa self-supporting, contoured surround removably placed in the fireboxintermediate the burner assembly and the firebox.
 13. The assembly ofclaim 9 wherein the firebox of the fireplace unit is defined by aplurality of interconnected walls, and surround in the firebox isadjacent to the interconnected walls.
 14. The assembly of claim 1wherein the upper portion of the front facing portion includes a falsefront having no sidewalls or top panel.
 15. The assembly of claim 1,further comprising a control unit coupled to the burner assembly.
 16. Afireplace assembly connectable to a gas source and positionable in areceptacle having first height and width dimensions, the first heightdimension being greater than the first width dimension, comprising: agas-burning direct vent fireplace unit positionable in the receptacle,the fireplace unit having second height and width dimensions, the secondheight dimension being greater than the second width dimension, thefireplace unit having an outer housing, a firebox contained in the outerhousing, a burner assembly in the firebox, and a gas inlet connected tothe burner assembly and connectable to a gas line, wherein the fireplaceunit includes a semi-contoured surround in the firebox forming a heatshield to initially direct heat from the burner assembly forwardly awayfrom the back of the firebox.
 17. (canceled)
 18. (canceled)
 19. Afireplace assembly positionable in a receptacle and being connectable toa gas source, comprising: a gas-burning direct vent fireplace unitpositionable in the receptacle, the fireplace unit having an outerhousing supported by lower cabinet portion, a firebox contained in theouter housing and having an opening in a front portion of the firebox, aburner assembly in the firebox, a gas inlet connected to the burnerassembly and connectable to a gas line, and a chimney coupled to thefirebox, and a surround in the firebox adjacent to the burner assembly,the surround defining a heat shield that directs heat forwardly towardthe opening in the front portion of the firebox.
 20. The assembly ofclaim 19, further comprising a furniture unit with an upper front faceportion having the receptacle therein, and wherein the fireplace unit ispositioned in the receptacle in the furniture unit.
 21. (canceled) 22.The assembly of claim 19 wherein the firebox of the fireplace unit hasan interior volume of a first shape, and the a surround is shaped todefine a second volume that has a second shape different from the firstshape.
 23. (canceled)
 24. The assembly of claim 19 wherein the surroundincludes a decorative inner surface in the firebox and partiallysurrounding the burner assembly, the decorative inner surface beingvisible from a position exterior of the firebox.
 25. The assembly ofclaim 19 wherein the surround is a self-supporting, contoured surroundremovably placed in the firebox adjacent to the burner assembly andadjacent to the firebox.
 26. The assembly of claim 19 wherein thesurround is a semi-dome shaped surround forming the heat shield thatdirects heat away from the back of the firebox.
 27. A fireplaceinstallation assembly connectable to a gas source and positionable in areceptacle in one of a furniture unit and a support structure,comprising: a direct vent fireplace unit positionable in the receptaclein the one of a furniture unit and a support structure, the fireplaceunit having an outer housing, a firebox contained in the outer housing,a burner assembly in the firebox coupleable to the gas source, and aself supporting, contoured surround in the firebox and spaced apart fromwalls that define the firebox, and the surround is positioned betweenthe burner assembly and the firebox to isolate the firebox from flamesgenerated at the burner assembly.
 28. (canceled)
 29. (canceled)
 30. Theassembly of claim 27 wherein the firebox has an interior volume of afirst shape, and the surround defines a second volume having a secondshape different from the first shape.
 31. The assembly of claim 27wherein the surround includes a decorative inner surface in the fireboxand partially surrounding the burner assembly, the decorative innersurface being visible from a position exterior of the fireplace unit.32. (canceled)
 33. (canceled)
 34. The assembly of claim 27 wherein thefirebox has a back wall and sidewalls, and the surround blocks the backwall and sidewalls from being visible from an exterior position in frontof the fireplace unit.
 35. A wall-mounted fireplace installationconnectable to a gas source, comprising: a structure having an enlargedreceptacle positioned above the ground, the receptacle being remote fromand not surrounded by a fireplace mantle; and a direct vent fireplaceunit positioned in the enlarged receptacle in the structure, thefireplace unit having an outer housing, a firebox contained in the outerhousing, a burner assembly in the firebox and coupleable to the gassource, a contoured surround in the firebox and extending around theburner assembly, the surround being adjacent to the firebox to define aheat shield around the burner assembly.
 36. The installation of claim 35wherein the receptacle in the structure and the fireplace unit ispositioned with a middle portion at approximately eye level of anaverage adult person when standing.
 37. The installation of claim 35wherein the surround is freestanding and movable within the firebox. 38.A direct vent fireplace unit positionable in an enlarged receptacleabove the ground in a furniture unit or a wall structure, the fireplaceunit having an outer housing, a firebox contained in the outer housingand having a front and rear portion, a burner assembly in the fireboxand coupleable to the gas source, a contoured surround positioned in thefirebox at least partially around the burner assembly, the surroundbeing intermediate the burner assembly and the rear portion of thefirebox to define a heat shield around the burner assembly that directsheat toward the front portion of the firebox, and a decorative frontface coupled to the outer housing, the front face having height andwidth dimensions, the height dimension being greater than the widthdimension.
 39. The fireplace unit of claim 38 wherein the surround is acontoured surround having a shape different from an interior shape ofthe firebox.
 40. The fireplace unit of claim 38 wherein the surround isfreestanding within the firebox.
 41. The fireplace unit of claim 30wherein the surround is a self-supporting surround having a semi-domeshape.